At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial activities, support strategic projects, and optimise supply chain solutions.
- Company: Join Foodbuy, the UK's top food procurement organisation, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, career growth opportunities, and a culture of learning and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability and client success while working in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or operations, strong analytical skills, and a passion for sustainability required.
- Other info: Be part of a high-impact team within a FTSE 100 company.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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Job Introduction
Commercial Manager – Foodbuy
Location: London | Hybrid working
Contract type: Full-time | Permanent
Company: Foodbuy Group (part of Compass Group UK & Ireland)
At Foodbuy, our role has never been more important. As the UK\’s leading food procurement organisation – and part of the Compass Group UK & Ireland family – we manage over £2bn in spend and support sectors across a wide range of challenges: inflation, supply chain resilience, sustainability, and growth.
We\’re looking for a commercially minded, people-savvy Commercial Manager to join our Commercial Management team. This is a pivotal role at the intersection of procurement, operations, and client experience – focused on strengthening our connection with the Compass business, ensuring value delivery, and helping us and our clients succeed.
What you\’ll be doing
As Commercial Manager, you\’ll work closely with the Commercial Director, supporting and executing the joint business plan (JBP) between Foodbuy and Compass sectors. You\’ll take ownership of key commercial activities, working across multiple stakeholder groups including Foodbuy teams, suppliers, and sector leaders to:
Drive strategic alignment
- Support strategic and tactical commercial projects, ensuring delivery of JBP milestones
- Shape and deliver sector-specific supply chain solutions and innovation
- Help sectors achieve their business priorities while driving Foodbuy\’s procurement goals
Optimise performance and compliance
- Identify commercial improvement opportunities across food, retail, and non-food
- Analyse performance data, manage reporting and compliance KPIs
- Support operational teams with efficient supply chain and preferred product use
- Lead/support mobilisation of major clients, tenders, and crisis responses
Deliver commercial value
- Identify purchasing income opportunities and implement initiatives with category teams
- Partner with stakeholders to support growth, contract renewals, and new supplier needs
- Support cost control and inflation management across sectors
- Provide accurate data and tools to support client pricing conversations
Champion sustainability and CSR
- Help deliver sector sustainability KPIs and net zero targets
- Build tools to communicate supplier CSR stories and sustainability credentials
- Support education and awareness around Foodbuy and Compass ESG commitments
You\’ll also play a key role in cross-sector commercial initiatives such as reporting, onboarding, communication, and retail promotions.
What we\’re looking for
- A commercially minded operator with experience managing complex stakeholder groups
- Strong analytical skills, able to interpret data and drive change
- Experience in procurement, operations, or supply chain within a large matrix business
- Proven project management and process improvement delivery
- Resilient, calm under pressure, and confident in challenging or ambiguous situations
- Natural relationship builder with strong influencing and communication skills
- Passion for sustainability, continuous improvement, and client success
- A positive, proactive \”can-do\” attitude and a strong desire to grow within Compass
Why join us?
- Be part of a high-impact commercial team at the heart of the Compass Group
- Shape strategic supply solutions that directly support the UK\’s largest contract caterer
- Join a culture of learning, innovation, and purpose
- Access wide-ranging career opportunities across a FTSE 100 company
- Flexible hybrid working and great benefits
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Commercial Procurement Manager employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Procurement Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the food procurement landscape in the UK. Understanding current trends, challenges, and innovations in the industry will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your knowledge of the sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement and supply chain fields. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with people who work at Foodbuy or similar organisations. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven commercial value in previous roles. Highlight your experience with stakeholder management and project delivery, as these are crucial for the Commercial Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for sustainability and CSR initiatives. Be ready to share ideas on how you can contribute to Foodbuy's sustainability goals, as this is a key focus for the company and will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Procurement Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, operations, and stakeholder management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and project management capabilities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for sustainability and client success. Mention how your background aligns with the role's requirements and express your enthusiasm for joining Foodbuy.
Highlight Key Achievements: In your application, focus on quantifiable achievements related to cost control, performance optimisation, and commercial improvements. This will help illustrate your impact in previous roles.
Showcase Soft Skills: Emphasise your relationship-building and communication skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully influenced stakeholders or navigated complex situations in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Understand the Role and Company
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Commercial Procurement Manager and the specific responsibilities at Foodbuy. Research the company’s values, recent projects, and their approach to sustainability, as this will help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Given the emphasis on managing complex stakeholder groups, be ready to discuss past experiences where you've successfully navigated challenging relationships. Prepare specific examples that highlight your influencing and communication skills, as well as your ability to drive change.
✨Showcase Analytical Skills
As the role requires strong analytical skills, be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've interpreted performance data and implemented changes based on your findings to demonstrate your capability.
✨Demonstrate a Passion for Sustainability
Foodbuy places a strong emphasis on sustainability and CSR. Be ready to share your thoughts on these topics and any relevant experiences you have. Discuss how you can contribute to their sustainability KPIs and your commitment to continuous improvement in this area.